I have been preparing an edition for publication of an interesting piece by Frederick Corder:
The unusual scoring was what caught my attention, plus the fact that very little of Corder's has been recorded. Yet he was (almost) as important figure at the Royal Academy as Stanford was at the College. His composition pupils included Granville Bantock, Arnold Bax, York Bowen, Alan Bush, Eric Coates, Benjamin Dale and Joseph Holbrooke.
Anyway, I wanted to find out more about this strange piece and succeeded with the Manawatu Times of New Zealand, dated 13 April 1908:
The poor lad (who was actually 13) died on 18 April. Quite why the RAM sent a cable in a code that the recipient couldn't decipher beats me, but they were different times...
Sir Alexander Mackenzie wrote to the parents on June 10th (this is the Manawatu Times again):
[I can't help but think that Mackenzie was trying to cover his back here (it could be a much-belated candidate for the "Sincere disingenuousness" thread that I started).]
A further news report from New Zealand is relevant:
Corder didn't stick to his "only to be played for him" instruction since the piece was eventually released by Novellos, but as far as I can tell it's never been recorded. It's very well written (Corder was evidently a competent violinist), rather Wagnerian (though seen through the eyes of - say - Reinecke), and quotes Strauss's Tod und Verklärung, the chorale Was Gott thut, das ist wohlgethan and the Dresden Amen (pace Parsifal).
Surprising what you come across, isn't it?
Elegy for twenty-four violins and organ, in memoriam Victor Harris d. April 18, 1908.
The unusual scoring was what caught my attention, plus the fact that very little of Corder's has been recorded. Yet he was (almost) as important figure at the Royal Academy as Stanford was at the College. His composition pupils included Granville Bantock, Arnold Bax, York Bowen, Alan Bush, Eric Coates, Benjamin Dale and Joseph Holbrooke.
Anyway, I wanted to find out more about this strange piece and succeeded with the Manawatu Times of New Zealand, dated 13 April 1908:
MASTER VICTOR HARRIS.
HIS SERIOUS ILLNESS REPORTED. A PATHETIC DILEMMA.
Everyone in Palmerston has been interested in the career of Master Victor Harris, son of Mr. D. B. and Madame Harris. Master Harris who we believe is about 12 years of age, is a musical genius, a brilliant violinist who has won his way along the path of fame in New Zealand and England, and is studying at tbe Royal Academy (his mother's old school) on scholarships which he had won. On Friday his parents received a cablegram:
"Seriously ill."
They cabled asking particulars and received the ominous reply
"Meningitis."
Careful enquiries were made among medical men here to ascertain if the dreaded cerebral meningitis had been reported in London, but far as could be found here there were no reports of it. The parents then set themselves to wait anxiously for further tidings, good 'or ill.
Yesterday afternoon came a further cable:
"Sclinitzler, Secotz wbwli."
The previous messages had been in plain language. The problem was to de-code this one. On Sunday it was difficult to get at code books, but after many efforts two most generally used codes — "A.B.C." and "Western Union" — were obtained, and neither provided the key. It is understood that the Royal Academy has a private code which was not available to the distracted parents yesterday, and so they had to face the long hours of the night with those two cryptic creations of the code-maker staring at them from the cable form, but not knowing whether they conveyed the worst news or a message of hope.
HIS SERIOUS ILLNESS REPORTED. A PATHETIC DILEMMA.
Everyone in Palmerston has been interested in the career of Master Victor Harris, son of Mr. D. B. and Madame Harris. Master Harris who we believe is about 12 years of age, is a musical genius, a brilliant violinist who has won his way along the path of fame in New Zealand and England, and is studying at tbe Royal Academy (his mother's old school) on scholarships which he had won. On Friday his parents received a cablegram:
"Seriously ill."
They cabled asking particulars and received the ominous reply
"Meningitis."
Careful enquiries were made among medical men here to ascertain if the dreaded cerebral meningitis had been reported in London, but far as could be found here there were no reports of it. The parents then set themselves to wait anxiously for further tidings, good 'or ill.
Yesterday afternoon came a further cable:
"Sclinitzler, Secotz wbwli."
The previous messages had been in plain language. The problem was to de-code this one. On Sunday it was difficult to get at code books, but after many efforts two most generally used codes — "A.B.C." and "Western Union" — were obtained, and neither provided the key. It is understood that the Royal Academy has a private code which was not available to the distracted parents yesterday, and so they had to face the long hours of the night with those two cryptic creations of the code-maker staring at them from the cable form, but not knowing whether they conveyed the worst news or a message of hope.
The poor lad (who was actually 13) died on 18 April. Quite why the RAM sent a cable in a code that the recipient couldn't decipher beats me, but they were different times...
Sir Alexander Mackenzie wrote to the parents on June 10th (this is the Manawatu Times again):
VICTOR HARRIS' DEATH
"IN MEMORIAM" ELEGY AT THE QUEENS' HALL
Mr and Mrs D. B. Harris continue to receive every mail further letters of condolence and evidences of the very high esteem in which their late gifted son was held at the Royal Academy and by those associated with him. This week there are letters from musicians, teachers and fellow students, all testifying to the manner in which the boy was loved and the amazement that one so strong and well and happy should have passed so suddenly and strangely. One letter from Sir Alexander Mackenzie, the eminent principal of the R.A.M., conveys the interesting news that at the annual concert and prize distribution, which is a great function always attended by Royalty, there was to be performed as an "In Memoriam" of the little Palmerstonian an elegy for 24 violins, especially composed for the purpose. This concert would have taken place on Friday last, Sir Alexander's letter is as follows
Royal Academy, London W., June 10th.
Dear Mrs Harris, etc.,
I need not tell you the news of your little son's death was a grief to all here.
No doubt yon already have had all the particulars which Mr Wessely and Mr Knott could possibly give you, and there is nothing I can add thereto except my sincere assurances of deep sympathy, with you in your sorrow.
Do not think Victor was over-worked or crammed. Nothing of the sort took place. He was certainly not over-worked and seemed happy here and he has by no means been forced in any way. His deplorably unexpected death is certainly not due to this cause.
It may interest you to know that at the Prize Distribution on the 17th of July, to be held in Queen's Hall, we propose to play an Elegy for 24 violins which has been written by our Curator and friend, Mr Corder, in memoriam of your son.
I am,
Very faithfully yours, A. C. Mackenzie
"IN MEMORIAM" ELEGY AT THE QUEENS' HALL
Mr and Mrs D. B. Harris continue to receive every mail further letters of condolence and evidences of the very high esteem in which their late gifted son was held at the Royal Academy and by those associated with him. This week there are letters from musicians, teachers and fellow students, all testifying to the manner in which the boy was loved and the amazement that one so strong and well and happy should have passed so suddenly and strangely. One letter from Sir Alexander Mackenzie, the eminent principal of the R.A.M., conveys the interesting news that at the annual concert and prize distribution, which is a great function always attended by Royalty, there was to be performed as an "In Memoriam" of the little Palmerstonian an elegy for 24 violins, especially composed for the purpose. This concert would have taken place on Friday last, Sir Alexander's letter is as follows
Royal Academy, London W., June 10th.
Dear Mrs Harris, etc.,
I need not tell you the news of your little son's death was a grief to all here.
No doubt yon already have had all the particulars which Mr Wessely and Mr Knott could possibly give you, and there is nothing I can add thereto except my sincere assurances of deep sympathy, with you in your sorrow.
Do not think Victor was over-worked or crammed. Nothing of the sort took place. He was certainly not over-worked and seemed happy here and he has by no means been forced in any way. His deplorably unexpected death is certainly not due to this cause.
It may interest you to know that at the Prize Distribution on the 17th of July, to be held in Queen's Hall, we propose to play an Elegy for 24 violins which has been written by our Curator and friend, Mr Corder, in memoriam of your son.
I am,
Very faithfully yours, A. C. Mackenzie
[I can't help but think that Mackenzie was trying to cover his back here (it could be a much-belated candidate for the "Sincere disingenuousness" thread that I started).]
A further news report from New Zealand is relevant:
A TRIBUTE TO VICTOR HARRIS.
We have given from time to time more than one exemplification of the depth of sympathy and admiration felt in the Royal Academy for the little Palmerston wonder-child, Victor Harris, but more continue to come to hand. The singularly sad circumstances of his death are familiar, but in a great teaching and artistic centre such things occur, stir the surface, and are lost in a week or two or at the beginning of the next term, when new faces and new interests crowd in.
Not so in this case, for there has just come to hand a programme of a concert given under tho joint auspices of "The Society of British Composers," "The Concert-goers' Club," and "The Play-goers' Olub" in London on November 10th, and specially featured on the programme is "Elegy for twenty-four violins, by F. Corder, Curator and Conductor R.A.M. orchestra, in memoriam Victor Harris d. 1908, and to be only played for him."
Herr Hans Wesseley, the Austrian violin maestro who was the poor boy's violin master, and most of the Professors of the R.A.M. and other musical colleges took part in the performance of the Elegy, which was placed first on the programme and given as "a tribute of love" to the little artist who had passed away. It is said—and wo can quite believe it—that such a compliment has never before been paid by the Academy to the memory of a child.
Manawatu Times 9 December 1908
We have given from time to time more than one exemplification of the depth of sympathy and admiration felt in the Royal Academy for the little Palmerston wonder-child, Victor Harris, but more continue to come to hand. The singularly sad circumstances of his death are familiar, but in a great teaching and artistic centre such things occur, stir the surface, and are lost in a week or two or at the beginning of the next term, when new faces and new interests crowd in.
Not so in this case, for there has just come to hand a programme of a concert given under tho joint auspices of "The Society of British Composers," "The Concert-goers' Club," and "The Play-goers' Olub" in London on November 10th, and specially featured on the programme is "Elegy for twenty-four violins, by F. Corder, Curator and Conductor R.A.M. orchestra, in memoriam Victor Harris d. 1908, and to be only played for him."
Herr Hans Wesseley, the Austrian violin maestro who was the poor boy's violin master, and most of the Professors of the R.A.M. and other musical colleges took part in the performance of the Elegy, which was placed first on the programme and given as "a tribute of love" to the little artist who had passed away. It is said—and wo can quite believe it—that such a compliment has never before been paid by the Academy to the memory of a child.
Manawatu Times 9 December 1908
Corder didn't stick to his "only to be played for him" instruction since the piece was eventually released by Novellos, but as far as I can tell it's never been recorded. It's very well written (Corder was evidently a competent violinist), rather Wagnerian (though seen through the eyes of - say - Reinecke), and quotes Strauss's Tod und Verklärung, the chorale Was Gott thut, das ist wohlgethan and the Dresden Amen (pace Parsifal).
Surprising what you come across, isn't it?
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